Archbishop letter on sex abuse read at LA churches

LOS ANGELES -- Roman Catholic parishioners in Los Angeles heard a letter from Archbishop Jose Gomez in which he described in newly-released files on clergy sex abuse as "terribly sad and evil."

The Los Angeles Times reports the archbishop's words were read by church leaders at Sunday masses across the city. The letter was made public late last week.

Gomez said the church needs to acknowledge the "terrible failure" of its handling of abuse cases.

At St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, parishioner Eric Nielsen praised the archbishop for addressing the issue. But Nielsen told the Times he would probably stop attending the church because he was upset by the child abuse scandal.

On Thursday Gomez stripped his predecessor Cardinal Roger Mahony of his administrative duties, for failing to take swift action against abusive priests.